Flawless Hingis leads Swiss to Hopman Cup triumph

Flawless Hingis leads Swiss to Hopman Cup triumph
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Perth, January 6: World No 1 Martina Hingis maintained a remarkable unbeaten record to lead Switzerland to a 2-1 victory over the United States in the Hopman Cup final here on Saturday.

The Swiss Miss, who has never lost a singles match in the mixed team event, teamed up with former World junior champion Roger Federer to overcome Monica Seles and Jan-Michael Gambill and claim the 240,000 dollar (130,000 US) winner’s cheque in the eight-nation event.

Hingis gave Switzerland a flying start, beating Monica Seles, the former World No 1 who is now ranked fourth, in a classic women’s singles clash, 7-5, 6-4. Then Federer sealed the title, beating Jan-Michael Gambill 6-4, 6-3. With the Swiss holding an unbeatable 2-0 lead, the mixed doubles, about to be played, will be a ‘dead’ rubber.

It was Switzerland’s second triumph after nine years in the 13-year-old contest.Henman crashes out.

ADELAIDE: British No 1 Tim Henman squandered a great chance for a rare tournament win here on Saturday when he crashed out of the Australian Hardcourt championships to Nicolas Massu.

The unheralded Chilean, ranked 87th in the world, came from a set down to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in what he described as the best win of his career. He will face Germany’s Tommy Haas, who overcame Australian Jason Stoltenberg 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in Sunday’s final.

Dokic off to a flier
HONG KONG: Jelena Dokic got her Australian Open preparations off to flying start on Saturday with a hard-fought win over Anna Kournikova in the final of Hong Kong’s New Year exhibition tournament. The 17 year-old Australian edged a tight first set in a tiebreak and went on to win 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 after 80 minutes on court.

Tu wins maiden title
AUCKLAND: American Meilen Tu upset Argentina’s Paola Suarez 7-6 (12-10), 6-2 on Saturday in the final of the $ 110,000 ASB Bank Classic, her first professional title. In the doubles final Alexandra Fusai of France and Rita Grande of Italy beat Barbara Schett of Austria and Emmanuelle Gagliardi of Switzerland 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.